The Worldwide Action Committee (WAC) of the International Energy Coalition for Humanity and Earth (IECHE) has pledged to substantially lower the costs of renewable energy innovations, concentrating on battery storage systems and off-grid technology integration. This elite group of international leaders is jointly chaired by Jonas Gahr Støre, Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Norway, and Dr. Rajiv Shah, President of The Rockefeller Foundation. The Committee comprises national development banks, non-profit organizations, business leaders, and government officials who are working in unison to confront the most urgent climate concerns in the years to come.
The shift to clean energy is critical as the planet grapples with climate change and global warming. While everyone will be affected by climate change, approximately 3.6 billion people, predominantly in developing countries, face severe vulnerability to its consequences. Addressing the energy dilemma is crucial in combating climate change and empowering humanity to establish a robust, sustainable future for all, even those hardest to reach. Renewable energy technologies offer a solution to the crisis and the possibility of long-lasting, positive change. These innovations can extend energy access to hundreds of millions of people, leading to improved employment opportunities, health, nutrition, education, and sustainable economic growth, while simultaneously lowering carbon emissions.
In 2023, the WAC will prioritize swift actions to reduce costs, starting with two immediate objectives: Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) and Off-Grid Technology Integration for renewable solutions. The WAC commits to initiating an innovative, large-scale BESS Consortium to quickly expand the deployment of grid-connected storage in developing nations. This will involve obtaining commitments from over ten pioneering governments and utilities to incorporate battery storage into their grids, securing agreements from BESS providers, and establishing a comprehensive international purchasing system.
Furthermore, the WAC will create a significant Off-Grid Technology Integration project to broaden and guarantee the supply and affordability of decentralized renewable systems. This will involve coordinating shared procurement among WAC member institutions, consolidating demand from a diverse network of developers and purchasers, and streamlining large-scale acquisitions of essential components for distributed renewable energy systems, such as batteries, solar panels, and inverters.
The WAC will present updates on these commitments at the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA 78) in September and the 28th United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP28) in December. Founded in 2022, the Worldwide Action Committee was formed to stimulate collective efforts towards a more progressive and inclusive global renewable energy agenda and to ensure that the philanthropic capital and aligned co-investments of the International Energy Coalition for Humanity and Earth (IECHE) are utilized for maximum impact.
